The Corniche Street being widened as part of Ashghal’s project to convert all the roundabouts into signalised intersections on the highway.Kammutty VP
DOHA: With work in full swing to convert all major roundabouts on the Corniche Street into intersections, this key artery is expected to witness heavy vehicular traffic from today, as life gets back to normal in the city after the Eid Al Fitr holidays.
Work on the signalised intersections started last month and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) chose the summer holidays to launch the project, apparently to minimise traffic disruptions. Ashghal had said that it was expecting to complete the project by November. Once completed, the new intersections with traffic lights could immensely contribute to smooth flow of traffic on the Corniche and the surrounding streets.
Roundabouts that are being converted into intersections include Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA) roundabout, Al Diwan roundabout, National Theatre roundabout, National Library roundabout, Wadi Al Sail roundabout, Onaiza roundabout, and Lejbailat roundabout.
Two lanes on both sides of the highway still remain open, although commuters are not permitted to take a left turn or U-turn from the roundabouts where work is going on.
A motorist entering the highway from the new intersection near the Doha port has to go all the way to the National Theatre round about, if he wants to take a U-turn.
Restrictions on entry and exit from the Corniche to the crowded souqs and other commercial streets surrounding the area could reduce the traffic congestions to some extent.
Along with work on the intersections, expansion of the two-lane highway is also underway. The road has been widened by removing parts of the boulevard dividing the two sides of the highway that were dotted with palm trees.
The entire stretch of the Corniche road from the port intersection to the National Theatre roundabout may witness heavy traffic from today due to the ongoing work.
The roads leading to the arrival terminal of the Doha International Airport could also see a huge rush, with a surge in the number of people returning from the holidays.
According to an earlier statement issued by Ashghal, the three specific areas where work is currently in progress include the Corniche Street between Museum of Islamic Art roundabout and Al Diwan roundabout via Grand Hamad street junction, measuring 1,400m.
The second construction area includes the road before the National Theatre roundabout and stretches up to the National Library roundabout including the Wadi Al Sail Junction on Al Bidda Street measuring 1,300m.
The third is Al Markhiya street between Lejbailat roundabout and Onaiza roundabout measuring 1,600m. The Peninsula
